Return bend



Nov. 10, 1931. J. E. GETZEN ET AL 1,831,708

RETURN BEND Filed Oct. 50, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6%???0/7 B. (ran e mm5. 68236 C/arexrce ll. Den M INVENTORS A ORNEY Nov. 10, 1931. J. E.GETZEN ET AL 1,831,708

RETURN BEND Filed Oct. 50, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Morfofl 5. (rows John[4 6e) 2 (/arexzce b. e/I/Me INVENTORS BY/zwwz ATTORNEY Patented Nov.10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN E. GETZEN AND CLARENCE H.DENICKE, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, AND

MORTON B. CROWE, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNORS TO STOCKHAM PIPE & FIT-TINGS CO. INC., OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF ALABAMA RETURNBEND Application filed October 30, 1930. Serial No. 492,210.

Our invention relates to return bends which are used in connection withcracking stills, and more particularly to those used in the newerprocesses, in which the pressure is not so great but in which thetemperature is extremely high.

In the operation of such stills, a very considerable amount of freecarbon is deposited on the interior of the tubes, which necessitatestheir frequent cleaning, and as the tubes are expensive, it is highlydesirable to have a return bend which can be readily detached, so thatthe tubes can be cleaned, or replaced when necessary, without injury toeither the tubes or the return bend by the removal thereof.

Many of the devicesnow in use are so con structed that the effect, ofthe combined action of the heat and the coking of the free carbondeposited on the interior walls of the tubes and bend, is such that itis frequently necessary to cut off, not only the tube which is to beremoved, but its adjoining tube as well, because it is impossible toremove the return bend from the tubes Without doing this; and thisoperation results in the loss of both tubes, and frequently includesalso the loss of the bend.

Our invention has for its object, to provide a comparatively inexpensiveform of return bend, in which we provide astream-line flow for the oil,and in which the bend is easily removable, for the purpose of cleaningor replacing the tubes, without injury to either the tubes or the bend.

A concrete device embodying our invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered as a part of thisspecification, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section,of our improved return bend Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation: and

Fig. 4 is a cross-section, taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 2, in the directionindicated by the arrows.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entiredescription.

In the drawings we show only fragmentary portions of tubes 1 and 2, asobviously these are no part of our invention, and in the followingdescription we shall confine ourselves to the structure with relation totube 2, it being understood that the construction for tub-e 1 isidentical.

Tubes 1 and 2 are provided with shoulders 0 adjacent their ends, theirends 18 having convex surfaces, as clearly seen in the sectional view inFig. 4. A yoke l, having openings 5 and 6 therein, through which tubes 1and 2 pass, is provided with sectional metal bushings 7, theouter wallof which is provided with a shoulder 8, adapted to engage shoulders 9formed on the interior of the openings 5 and 6. The inner wall of themetal bushings 7 is fitted to the exterior wall of the pipes or tubes 1and 2.

The yoke 4 comprises two flanges 10, in which the openings 5 and 6 areformed. These flanges 10 are connected by a web 12. Bolt holes 13 areformed in the flanges 10, and are adapted to receive bolts 14, which aremounted in holes 15 formed in flanges 16, which are cast or formed on areturn bend 17. The return bend 17 is formed with an unobstructedinterior passage, the diameter of which corresponds to the internaldiameter of the tubes 1 and 2, so that provision is made for free flowof oil through the tubes 1 and 2 and the return bend 17.

As illustrated, we show convex surfaces 18 formed on the ends of tubes 1and 2, and tapered grooves 19 formed in the face of the return bend 17,adapted to register with the ends 18 of the tubes 1 and 2.

It will be obvious that by tightening the nuts 11 on the bolts 14, theflanges 16 on the return bend 17 will be drawn tightly against theflanges 10 on the yoke 4. This draws the sectional metal bushings 7against the upset or shouldered portions 3 of the tubes 1 and 2, andthus draws the ends 18 of tubes 1 and 2 tightly into the grooves 19,which serves to make a tight joint.

Although we have shown and described a particular type of joint for thispurpose, it will be obvious that our invention is not confined to anyspecific joint, but that any desired type of joint may be utilized.

To remove tile return bend 17, obviously all that is necessary is toremove the nuts 11 from the bolts 14, when a slight blow of a hammer onthe return bend 17 will dislodge it, so that it can be removed withoutin any way injuring it, and also without injury to the ends 3 of thetubes 1 and 2.

Up to this. point we have illustrated and described a concreteembodiment of our invention. We wish it understood, however, that thisis merely for the purpose of presenting a preferred form ofconstruction, as many changes in the construction may suggest themselvesto persons skilled in the art, and We do'not therefore desire to belimited to the precise construction illustrated, except as suchlimitations may appear in the hereinafter appended claim.

Having described our invention, What We regard as new, and desire toobtain by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

In refinery apparatus, means for connecting a return bend to a pair ofpipes having shouldered ends comprising an outwardly projecting flangeon said return bend, a plate having shouldered apertures of a size topass over said shouldered ends, sectional locking rings adaptedtobeinterposed between the shoulders of saidends and said plate to lockthe same together, and means for securing said flange and said platetogether.

JOHN E. GETZEN. CLARENCE H. DENICKE. MORTON B. CROWE.

